Device for supporting workmen or objects on inclined surfaces



INGLINBD (No Model.) N

- v "D. NORTON. DEVIGE` POB. SUPPORTING WORKMEN 0R OBJECTS 0N SURPAGES.

310,530,548. Patented 1360.11, 1894i ITEI) STATES PATENT, BEIGE.

DnNNIs NORTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLiNOIs.

DEVICE FOR SUFPORlING WORKMEN 0R OBJECTS ON INCLINED SURFACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 530,548, dated December 11, 1 894. Application filed May 10, 1894. Serial No. 510.735. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DENNIS NORTON, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago,

H workmen with a secure foot-hold on the inclined roofs of buildings, and also for providing a secure support for the swinging stage which painters and other workmen usually employ when working on the front orside of the building.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved device for the support of workmenV or objects upon roofs or inclined surfaces.`

A further object is to provide convenient and simple means for readily suspending painters stages or other objects from the eaves of inclined roofs or other like surfaces.

With these ends in view my inventionconsists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device showing-it applied to an inclined roof which is represented in section. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view hereinafter described, and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device when not in use. y

Like signs of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

1--1 represent the side members of a rectangular or other suitably shaped frame having cross bars or rungs 2 which form footholds for workmen when painting or otherwise working on the roof. This frame is provided at suitable points and preferably at each corner with a sharp spur 3 whose point is arranged at an oblique angle to the frame so that the weight of the frame will cause the spurs to enter the shingles 4 and any additional weight thereon will increase their hold on the roof by causing them to still further sink into the wood. These spurs may be smaller diameter than the side members l. i

At the upper end of the ladder-like frame thus constituted, I prefer to provide a shelf 6 for the support of paint pots or tools for the convenience of the workmen.

If desired, the upper end of the frame may be provided with rings or eyes 7 and theunder side of the shelf 6 at each end with a hook 8 which hooks engage in the rings or eyes `7 and thus constitute hinges for enabling the shelf 6 to be thrown back so as to rest at one edge against the roof While it is supported at the other on the frame; and when not inuse to be turned down against the frame as shown in Fig. 4.

In order that the frame 1--2 may be utilized for supporting the painters stage or other object (not shown) at the front or side of the building, I provide a block or rest 9 which is adapted to rest upon the roof and has suitable connection with some part of the frame, preferably with the lower one of the rungs 2. This block or rest is provided with a socket 10 having a salient edge 11 in which socket and under which edge engages the point -of a hook 12 whose upper end is sufficiently curved to clear the eaves and cornice or other ornament on the edge of the roof while its lower end is curvedso as to be under the point, and is provided with an eye 13 or other means for the attachment of the rope 14 which suspends the stage or other object (not shown). When the device is put tothis use one ofthe frames is of course employed over each end of the stage, unless the frame should be made of suiicient length to extend the whole length of the stage so that two of the blocks 9 might be secured one at each end thereof; butthis` i IOO resulting from the Weight of the stage, excepting that portion thereof which is induced by the tendency of the block to slide down the roof, Whchis very slight; and when the frame is to be employed solelyl for the purpose of working on the roof the block may be readily detached. This connection may be effected by providing the block with a ring or eye 15 to which is secured a snap-hook 16 which engages in a ring or eye 17 formed on a band 18 surrounding the lower rung 2. If desired, the block 9 also may be provided with one or more of the points or the spurs 19 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, so as to further guard against slipping, but this is not essential.

With a device thus constructed it is obvions that the workmen may be readily provided With a secure foot hold on the roofs of the greatest pitch, or the usual swinging stage may be quickly suspended Without the aid of nails or other devices which puncture the shingles and result in the leakage of the roof, to say nothing of the inconvenience occasioned by their use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-` 1. A device for the purpose described having a portable frame provided with means for enabling it to cling to a roof or other inclined surface, in combination with a block having a socket, secured to said frame and adapted to rest on the said roof or surface, and a hook adapted to engage in said socket, and having 3 means for the attachment of a stage or other object to be suspended, substantially as set forth. y

2. A device for the purpose described havi ing in combination a frame provided With means for enabling it to cling to a roof or inclined surface, in combination with a block or rest having a socket and being loosely connected to said frame so as to rest upon said roof or inclined surface, substantially as set forth.

3. A device for the purpose described having a block or rest provided with a socket, a hook adapted to engage in said socket at one end and being curved so as to extend around the eaves or cornice of a roof so as to support an object at its lower end, in combination with means for causing said block to automatically cling to the roof by the pressure brought to bear on said hook, substantially as set forth.

DENNIS NORTON. Witnesses: c,

F. A. HOPKINS, EDNA B. JOHNSON. 

